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Lexus LC 500 coming to Detroit Auto Show

Believe it or not, it's been nearly four years since we first saw the Lexus LF-LC Concept. Its swoopy style and spindle grille kicked off a big design revolution for Lexus, and we saw a number of LF-LC design elements work their way onto production cars. But now, rumor has it a full-on production version will see the light of day, and soon. Motoring.com.au says the LC 500 coupe will show its face at the 2016 Detroit Auto Show in January, and we have little reason to doubt this. In fact, it's kind of been a long time coming. The LC was reportedly approved for production in 2013, and though we were told it might resurrect the SC name, Lexus filed copyright applications for "LC 500" and "LC 500h." Oh, and a prototype of this car was recently spotted testing. The LC 500 will arrive with – no surprise here – Lexus' naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8, plucked from the RC F and GS F. That said, Motoring says it could arrive with a new, 10-speed automatic transmission from Aisin. As for the LC 500h, Motoring thinks it'll be powered by a, 3.5-liter V6-based hybrid drive system that could produce something like 470 horsepower – not the current V6/hybrid unit from the GS 450h. A hotter LC F should follow in a couple of years, and earlier reports suggest it could make something like 600 horsepower. Of course, Lexus refuses to comment on future product speculation, so we don't have any official proof that this is actually happening. But it all makes a lot of sense. Watch this space in two months' time for more details.

New Lexus small CUV may have been behind moving ES production to Kentucky

Lexus may have had another big reason - in addition to the financial incentives potentially worth up to $146.5 million that Kentucky offered - to move ES production to its Georgetown, KY plant. The ES has always been built in Japan, and a report at TheDetroitBureau.com claims that the Kyushu facility will be tooling up to build a new model thought to be a compact hybrid crossover expected to go on sale next year. While ES300h production would remain in Japan, shedding 50,000 units of traditional ES production would free capacity for what many think will be an important model in the Lexus lineup.
The new CUV will come in below the RX and be built on the platform of the RAV4. Speculation is that there will be an NX200t and an NX300h, the former possibly getting the 2.0-liter turbo Toyota engine due in 2014 - matching the predicted timeline for the CUV and supposedly also meant for an RX200t - and latter getting the same 2.5-liter hybrid powertrain in the ES300h. We'll see a preview of the Audi Q3 and BMW X1 fighter at this year's Tokyo Motor Show; the production version should be unveiled at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show.

Lexus to reveal new concept in Geneva

When Lexus rolls in to the Geneva Motor Show this year, it will have some exciting metal to show off to the Old World crowds. Both the GS F performance sedan and the LF-C2 concept will be marking their European debuts at the Swiss expo. But it will have a new concept to showcase, as well. Just what form that concept will take is anyone's guess at this point, and Lexus isn't saying. The Japanese luxury marque's lineup consists primarily of sedans and crossovers, with the RC coupe and CT hybrid hatchback thrown in for good measure. The likelihood is that we'll be looking at either a new compact model or a large crossover, but that's all up in the air at the moment. Recent show cars from Toyota's upscale brand have included the RC F GT3 racer, the aforementioned LF-C2 convertible, the LF-LC sports coupe and the LF-NX concept that previewed the new NX compact crossover. Watch this space for more. Related Video: 03 Feb 2015 LEXUS AT THE 2015 GENEVA MOTOR SHOW • European Premiere of the new Lexus F-performance model, the 477PS GS F • European Premiere of the LF-C2 concept • World Premiere of a new Lexus concept Brussels, Belgium - The 2015 Geneva Motor Show will host a European introduction of the recent addition to the Lexus high-performance F-brand, the new GS F. World Premiered at this year's Detroit MS, the GS F is a refined four-door coupe with the speed and agility of a premium sports car. Equipped with a normally-aspirated 5.0l V8 engine, the GS F produces maximum power of 477PS and maximum torque of 530Nm. The GS F is the first Lexus to include the new comprehensive Lexus Safety System +. World Premiered at 2014 Los Angeles Motor Show, the LF-C2 concept will also have its European Premiere at this year's Geneva MS. The concept is a design study in the form of a 2+2 roadster that explores key styling themes involved in the Lexus brand's future, bolder styling direction. The LF-C2 is a luxury Grand Touring concept inspired by Lexus' passion for driving. Its open-air design derives from a pure sports coupe idea. Finally, during the Lexus press conference, a new Lexus concept will have its World Premiere. The Lexus Press Conference will take place on March 3, at 12:30 at the Lexus stand (number 4211) in Hall 4.